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Water for Elephants : A Novel by Sara Gruen (2007, Trade Paperback)
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"Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen is an engaging historical fiction novel published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill in 2007. The trade paperback format makes it easy to carry and read, with a size of 8.3 inches in length, 5.5 inches in width, and 0.8 inches in height. The book's theme revolves around romance, history, and coming of age in the 20th century, offering readers a captivating and emotional journey. Illustrated by the author herself, this novel is a must-read for those interested in historical and romantic narratives set in the early 20th century.
- Buy It NowWater for Elephants : A Novel by Sara Gruen (2007, Trade Paperback)
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About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherAlgonquin Books of Chapel Hill
ISBN-101565125606
ISBN-139781565125605
eBay Product ID (ePID)56997435
Product Key Features
Book TitleWater for Elephants : a Novel
Number of Pages352 Pages
LanguageEnglish
TopicRomance / Historical / 20th Century, Romance / Historical / General, Coming of Age, Historical
Publication Year2007
IllustratorYes
GenreFiction
AuthorSara Gruen
FormatTrade Paperback
Dimensions
Item Height0.8 in
Item Weight10.3 Oz
Item Length8.2 in
Item Width5.5 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
LCCN2007-280214
Dewey Edition22
Reviews" At its finest, "Water for Elephants" resembles stealth hits like 'The Giant's House, ' by Elizabeth McCracken, or 'The Lovely Bones, ' by Alice Sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowd-pleasing romanticism. . . . Black-and-white photographs of real American circus scenes from the first half of the century are interspersed throughout the novel, and they brilliantly evoke the dignified power contained in the quieter moments of this unusual brotherhood. . . . With a showman's expert timing, [Gruen] saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of Americana into an enchanting escapist fairy tale." -- "New York Times" Book Review, ""Water for Elephants" resembles stealth hits like "The Giant's House," by Elizabeth McCracken, or "The Lovely Bones," by Alice Sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowd-pleasing romanticism. . . . With a showman's expert timing, [Gruen] saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of Americana into an enchanting escapist fairy tale."--The New York Times Book Review, & " Gritty, sensual and charged with dark secrets involving love, murder and a majestic, mute heroine (Rosie the Elephant).& " & - Parade, "Lively with historical detail and unexpected turns. . . . Water for Elephants is a rich surprise, a delightful gem springing from a fascinating footnote to history that absolutely deserved to be mined." --The Denver Post, & " Water for Elephants resembles stealth hits like The Giant's House, by Elizabeth McCracken, or The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowd-pleasing romanticism. . . . With a showman's expert timing, [Gruen] saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of Americana into an enchanting escapist fairy tale.& " -- The New York Times Book Review, " Novelist Gruen unearths a lost world with her rich and surprising portrayal of life in a traveling circus in the '30s. An emotional tale that will please history buffs-- and others." "-- People", When his parents are killed in a traffic accident, Jacob Jankowski hops a train after walking out on his final exams at Cornell, where he had hoped to earn a veterinary degree. The train turns out to be a circus train, and since it's the Depression, when someone with a vet's skills can attach himself to a circus if he's lucky, Jacob soon finds himself involved with the animal acts-specifically with the beautiful young Marlena, the horse rider, and her husband, August. Jacob falls for Marlena immediately, and the ensuing triangle is at the center of this novel, which follows the circus across the states. Jacob learns the ins and outs of circus life, in this case under the rule of the treacherous Uncle Al, who cheats the workers and deals roughly with patrons who complain about blatant false advertising and rip-off exhibits. Jacob and Marlena are attracted to each other, but their relationship is fairly innocent until it becomes clear that August is not merely jealous but dangerously mentally deranged. Old-fashioned and endearing, this is an enjoyable, fast-paced story told by the older Jacob, now in his nineties in a nursing home. From the author of "Riding Lessons"; recommended for all libraries., You'll get lost in the tatty glamour of Gruen's meticulously researched world, from spangled equestrian pageantry and the sleazy side show to an ill-fated night at a Chicago speak-easy, "For pure story, this colorful, headlong tale of a Depression-era circus simply can't be beat. Heroes, villains, romance, a wild-animal stampede! Big fun from page 1."-Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly: "Best & Worst 2007", " "Water for Elephants" resembles stealth hits like "The Giant's House," by Elizabeth McCracken, or "The Lovely Bones," by Alice Sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowd-pleasing romanticism. . . . With a showman's expert timing, [Gruen] saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of Americana into an enchanting escapist fairy tale." -- The New York Times Book Review, "Gritty, sensual and charged with dark secrets involving love, murder and a majestic, mute heroine (Rosie the Elephant)."--Parade, ""Water for Elephants" resembles stealth hits like "The Giant's House", by Elizabeth McCracken, or "The Lovely Bones", by Alice Sebold, books that combine outrageously whimsical premises with crowd-pleasing romanticism. . . . With a showman's expert timing, [Gruen] saves a terrific revelation for the final pages, transforming a glimpse of Americana into an enchanting escapist fairy tale."--The New York Times Book Review, " You'll get lost in the tatty glamour of Gruen's meticulously researched world, from spangled equestrian pageantry and the sleazy side show to an ill-fated night at a Chicago speak-easy." -- "Washington Post", "Gritty, sensual and charged with dark secrets involving love,murder and a majestic,mute heroine (Rosie the Elephant)."-Parade, "Gritty, sensual and charged with dark secrets involving love,murder and a majestic,mute heroine (Rosie the Elephant)."--Parade, " Gritty, sensual and charged with dark secrets involving love, murder and a majestic, mute heroine (Rosie the Elephant)." -- Parade
Dewey Decimal813/.6
SynopsisAs a young man, Jacob Jankowski was tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. It was the early part of the great Depression, and for Jacob, now ninety, the circus world he remembers was both his salvation and a living hell. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was there that he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great gray hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this unlikely trio was one of love and trust, and, ultimately, it was their only hope for survival., An atmospheric, gritty, and compelling novel of star-crossed lovers, set in the circus world circa 1932, by the bestselling author of "Riding Lessons. When Jacob Jankowski, recently orphaned and suddenly adrift, jumps onto a passing train, he enters a world of freaks, grifters, and misfits, a second-rate circus struggling to survive during the Great Depression, making one-night stands in town after endless town. A veterinary student who almost earned his degree, Jacob is put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It is there that he meets Marlena, the beautiful young star of the equestrian act, who is married to August, the charismatic but twisted animal trainer. He also meets Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable until he discovers a way to reach her. Beautifully written, "Water for Elephants is illuminated by a wonderful sense of time and place. It tells a story of a love between two people that overcomes incredible odds in a world in which even love is a luxury that few can afford., Over 10,000,000 copies in print worldwide #1 New York Times Bestseller A Los Angeles Times Bestseller A Wall Street Journal Bestseller A Newsday Favorite Book of 2006 A USA Today Bestseller A Major Motion Picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz Jacob Janowski's luck had run out--orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was the Great Depression and for Jacob the circus was both his salvation and a living hell. There he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but brutal animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this group of misfits was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival., Over 10 million copies sold worldwide! * Now A Broadway Musical Starring Grant Gustin and Isabella McCalla #1 New York Times Bestseller * A Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal , & USA Today Bestseller "This colorful headlong tale of a Depression-era circus simply can't be beat." -- Stephen King A Major Motion Picture starring Reese Witherspoon, Robert Pattinson, and Christoph Waltz Jacob Janowski's luck had run out--orphaned and penniless, he had no direction until he landed on a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. A veterinary student just shy of a degree, he was put in charge of caring for the circus menagerie. It was the Great Depression and for Jacob the circus was both his salvation and a living hell. There he met Marlena, the beautiful equestrian star married to August, the charismatic but brutal animal trainer. And he met Rosie, an untrainable elephant who was the great hope for this third-rate traveling show. The bond that grew among this group of misfits was one of love and trust, and ultimately, it was their only hope for survival.
LC Classification NumberPS3607.R696W38 2007
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Ratings and Reviews
Most relevant reviews
- Jan 26, 2022
Water for Elephants? Great book.
I enjoyed this book. I had seen the movie but wanted to see how the book informed the screen writers.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Oct 14, 2022
Water for Elephants is the best story I have read in years!
Well written and compelling story. Could not stop reading it!Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Feb 02, 2021
Great book
Great book. This is my favorite book. Great priceVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- May 20, 2020
great
great story, great writingVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Jul 09, 2022
She liked the movie better lol
Bought for a friend.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Jul 08, 2018
Love it
Can't wait to read it thankyouVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- May 14, 2020
Thank you, l didn’t expect to get it so soon
Thank you, l didn’t expect to get it so soonVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Oct 10, 2017
Water
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
